The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1887-07-20
THE BANQUET.
wool Growers, Business Men and
Visitors Meet at the Fes-
tive Board.
rg,e Largest and Pleasantest Gathering OF
the Kind Ever Held at Hospitable
Fort Benton.

The spacious lobby of the Grand Union
boreI presented an animated appearance
raet evening as the guests and their friends
becan to assemble. Before the doors Of
the banquet hall were thrown open it be-
pan to be apparent that the large dining
hall would be taxed to it's utmost capacity
In fully accommodate the guests of the
evening. Up to the very last moment
faey continued to arrive from out side
points, the latest being party from Hele
ps and Great Falls consisting of Mr.. G.
6. Chandler, representing the Northern
Pacific, Mr. A. G. Shelton, Of Portland,
Oregon. representing the G. B. & O., or
Darlington route, and Messrs. w. F. Par
ker and Phil Gibson of Great Falls. Dur
ing the day all the prominent wool grow
erg of northern Montana, who had not
previously reached the city, arrived.
When the doors Of the banquet hall were
1rown open Mr.. T. E. Collins in behalf Of
the citizens Of Fort Benton announced
that the moment had arrived for the
festivities Of the evening to begin and
the guests filed into the hall under the
leadership Of Mr.. w G. Conrad, president
Of the Board Of Trade. All remained
standing until the signal to be seated was
given by the master of ceremonies. Two
long tables extended length-wise through
The hall, which we're loaded down with
choicest viands and beautifully decorated
With flowers.
The head of the first table was occupied
by Mr.. w q. Conrad, President Of the
Board of Trade, with Col. NJ. j. Leaning
at the foot. At Mr.. Conrad's right was
seated Mr.. j. E. Bower, president of the
Montana Wool Growers association, and
Mr.. i. W. Peck, secretary and editor Of
the Montana Wool Grower. At his left
we're Mr. w. S. Alexander, general traffic
manager Of the Manitoba, and Mr.. F. w.
Tint, president of the Sun River Wool
Covers association.
Mr.. Jos. 1Allin, Of Sand Coulee, occupied
ahe lead of the second table, with Mr.. An
thony at the foot.
-1IDOl1S UIlO5C W1IO W0IC pICSO4Ip NC NI4O
enabled to gather the following partial
List Of names, which we regret could not
be made complete: w. G. Conrad, W. S.
alexander, w. F. Flint, J. II. Rice, D. G.
Browne, Fred G. Zimmerman, Ell. f. Dent,
Charles Rowe, w. J. Minar, w. S. Stock
ing. John Zimmerman, A. G. Sheldon, w.
F. Parker, G. g. Chandler, Theo. Gibson,
A. II. Porter, Geo. w Benedict, Phil Glib
son, Jas. Macnaughtan, Jas. Croft, A. B.
Keeler, G. P Thompson, Mr.. Walker, G.
q. Duer, Paul Bicknal, G. Currie, Jr.,
BENZ. Webster, e. G. Maclay, DIR. Hender
son, Sol Genzberger, Col. M. J. Leaning,
j. E. Bower, L. W. Peck, Henry Macdon-
aid. Geo. w. Crane, Chas. E. Conrad, A.
W. Bower, w. P. Wren, Jas. A. Yore, A.
WI Kingsbury, ]. Il. Arlington, J. 2. Nc
Cabe, Sam'l Wilkinson, w. E. Putnam,
Robt. Blankenbaker, VIM. Smiley, A. j.
Stuart, John Hobbins, f. G. Poole, Geo.
Currie, Sr., O. G. Cooper, w. FL Black,
T. E. Collins, Jno w. Power, FL. G. McIn-
the, John F. Patterson. A. B. Hamilton,
Mayor Jere Sullivan, Joseph Hirshberg,
Joseph Allin, r. S. Ball, NJ. J. Martin, Jos.
A. Baker, A. C. Johnson, FL. J. Wackerlin,
}. G. Anthony, E. E. Leech, Jas. Wright,
lyle Price, c. H. McDaniels, F. S. Kaiser,
n E Metcalf, J. d. Gildart.
After ample justice had been done to
the elegant supper the popping of corks
cHn I>o4+1oC hof |
Joasts We're in order, and the ''feast OF rea-
son and flow of soul" was inauguarted by
the toast master, Mr.. 7. E. Collins, who
called upon Mr.. W. G. Conrad, president
q the Board of Trade.
IN behalf Of the citizens Of Fort Benton
1uf' Conrad extended a hearty welcome to
1he assembled guests, and especially to
tAe wool growers, in whose honor the BAN
Puet had been provided. He was glad to
zee 50 many present and hoped that this
custom OF meeting yearly at the festive
Doard would be continued.
1he master of ceremonies then called
upon Col. M. J. Leaning for the salutatory.
The colonel felt lily fitted to respond I
aaVing just arisen from sick bed, and
had hoped that his name would be omitted
&om the list of speakers. In behalf of
ne Fort Benton Board of Trade as we'll as
4e wool growers he extended hearty
'elcome to all who came to join us on the
0ccaslon, and to meet and encourage this
great industry. No other industry has
grown more rapidly. But a few years
''ilee we could number our bands by the
fIofe' Now they are numbered by the
thousands. The great reservation which
tends north to the British line and east
! lle boundary has stood in the way Of
III rapid Development Of the stock indus
y y this section. Now that it is to be
mo, moved and the area Of our grazing ter
H. 's greatly enlarged We can almost
var lhe pick and shovel "a ~ Nfa,.:4a1.